Image Processing Under Flickering Lighting Conditions Using Estimated Illumination Parameters

ABSTRACT

Methods for estimating illumination parameters under flickering lighting conditions are disclosed. Illumination parameters, such as phase and contrast, of a intensity-varying light source may be estimated by capturing a sequence of video images, either prior to or after a desired still image to be processed. The relative average light intensities of the adjacently-captured images are calculated and used to estimate the illumination parameters applicable to the desired still image. The estimated illumination parameters may be used to calculate the point spread function of a still image for image de-blurring processing. The estimated illumination parameters may also be used to synchronize the exposure timing of a still image to the time when there is the most light, as well as for use in motion estimation during view/video modes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/094,755, filed Sep. 5, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to image processing under flickering lighting conditions, and in particular to estimating illumination parameters under flickering lighting conditions for use in digital image processing, such as image de-blurring, exposure timing and motion estimation.

BACKGROUND

Digital cameras typically include an optical lens and light sensing integrated circuit (IC), such as a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or charge-coupled device (CCD). Light sensing ICs traditionally have light sensing elements that are aligned with the image captured by the optical lens. In this fashion, the individual light sensing elements can provide a signal representative of the intensity of the light to which a particular area of the image is exposed.

However, under flickering light conditions, such as fluorescent lighting, digital camera image quality can be substantially reduced since the intensity lighting conditions are not constant. For example, known image de-blurring processing requires one to first calculate the point spread function (PSF). When the light intensity is constant over time, the PSF can be computed simply as a function of the camera motion. However, if the light source is flickering (e.g., a fluorescent lamp), the knowledge of the motion alone is insufficient for accurately calculating the PSF, as the PSF is similarly affected by illumination factors, such as the phase and the contrast of the light source.

Since digital cameras are used a large percentage of the time indoors under fluorescent lighting, there is a need in the art for image processing techniques under flickering lighting conditions, such as image de-blurring, exposure timing and/or motion estimation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed and claimed herein are techniques for performing image processing under flickering light conditions using estimated illumination parameters. In one embodiment, a method for performing image processing under flickering light conditions includes receiving first image data corresponding to a plurality of captured image frames captured at a first time period under flickering light conditions, and receiving second image data corresponding to a desired still image captured at a second time period under flickering light conditions. This particular method further includes estimating an illumination parameter based on the first image data, which includes calculating the relative average light intensities for each of the plurality of captured image frames.

Other aspects, features, and techniques of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art in view of the following detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a simplified block diagram of a device configured to implement one or more aspects of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a process for implementing one or more aspects of the invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts another process for implementing one or more aspects of the invention, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Overview and Terminology

The present disclosure relates to image processing under flickering lighting conditions using estimated illumination parameters. As will be described in more detail herein, the illumination parameters (e.g., phase and contrast) of an intensity-varying light source may be estimated by capturing a sequence of video images, either prior to or after a desired still image to be processed, such as in the camera's preview mode. From the relative intensities of those adjacently-captured images, the illumination parameters applicable to the desired still image may be estimated.

One aspect of the disclosure is to use the estimated illumination parameters to calculate the correct PSF in a manner which accounts for the time-varying light intensity caused by fluorescent lighting. The calculated PSF may then be used to perform image de-blurring operations on the desired still image.

Another aspect of the invention is to use the aforementioned estimated illumination parameters to synchronize the exposure timing of a still image to the time when there is the most light. Still another aspect of the invention is to use the aforementioned estimated illumination parameters for motion estimation in view/video modes.

As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” shall mean one or more than one. The term “plurality” shall mean two or more than two. The term “another” is defined as a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having” are open ended (e.g., comprising). The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment” or similar term means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner on one or more embodiments without limitation.

In accordance with the practices of persons skilled in the art of computer programming, the invention is described below with reference to operations that are performed by a computer system or a like electronic system. Such operations are sometimes referred to as being computer-executed. It will be appreciated that operations that are symbolically represented include the manipulation by a processor, such as a central processing unit, of electrical signals representing data bits and the maintenance of data bits at memory locations, such as in system memory, as well as other processing of signals. The memory locations where data bits are maintained are physical locations that have particular electrical, magnetic, optical, or organic properties corresponding to the data bits

When implemented in software, the elements of the invention are essentially the code segments to perform the necessary tasks. The code segments can be stored in a “processor storage medium,” which includes any medium that can store information. Examples of the processor storage medium include an electronic circuit, a semiconductor memory device, a ROM, a flash memory or other non-volatile memory, a floppy diskette, a CD-ROM, an optical disk, a hard disk, etc.

Exemplary Embodiments

FIG. 1 depicts a simplified block diagram of a digital camera 100 configured to implement one or more aspects of the invention. In particular, camera 100 includes an image capturing system 110. The image capturing system 110 may include any form or combination of an optical lens and a light sensing IC. As is generally known, the optical lens typically including lenses and beam splitters to form images using the incident light. The light sensing IC will typically include light sensing elements that are aligned to the images formed by the optical lens, and then convert the light sensed into corresponding electrical signals which are then provided to the image processing circuitry 120 as captured image data 125. It should be appreciated that the image processing circuitry 120 may be implemented using one or more integrated circuit microprocessors, microcontrollers and/or digital signal processors.

Image processing circuitry 120 may be configured to process the received image data based on, for example, specific image processing algorithms stored in memory 130 in the form of processor-executable instruction sequences. The image processing circuitry 120 may then provide processed image data 135 to memory 130 for storage and/or to display 150 for viewing. It should be appreciated that memory 130 may include any combination of different memory storage devices, such as a hard drive, random access memory, read only memory, flash memory, or any other type of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. It should further be appreciated that memory 130 may be implemented as multiple, discrete memories for storing processed image data 135, as well as the processor-executable instructions for processing the captured image data 125.

The display 150 may comprise a display, such as a liquid crystal display screen, incorporated into the camera 100, or it may alternatively be any external display device to which the camera 100 may be connected. The camera further comprises an motion sensing circuitry 140 (e.g., accelerometer, gyro, etc.) for providing motion-related data to image processing circuitry 120.

Referring now to FIG. 2, depicted is one embodiment of a process 200 for carrying out one or more aspects of the invention. In certain embodiments, process 200 may be performed by one or more processors (e.g., image processing circuitry 120 of FIG. 1) of a digital camera (e.g., camera 100 of FIG. 1). Process 200 begins at block 210 where captured image data is received. The captured image data may be a sequence of image frames k_(1−N) captured by a digital camera's image capturing system (e.g., image capturing system 110) over some period of time, such as prior to and/or after capturing a desired still image. In one embodiment, the image frames k_(1−N) may be captured during a preview mode.

With respect to the process of capturing the image frames k_(1−N), in certain embodiments it may be desirable to choose a frame period such that for every 1≦k<N, k times the frame period is not an integer multiple of the period of the light signal.

Process 200 may continue to block 220 where motion-related data corresponding to the period of time when image frames k_(1−N) were captured may be received. While in one embodiment, the motion-related data may be provided using a built-in accelerometer or gyro-type circuitry (e.g., motion sensing circuitry 140 of FIG. 1). Other known means for providing motion-related data may be similarly used.

Process 200 may then continue to block 230 where illumination parameters may be estimated. Optionally, the motion-related data from block 220 may be used to perform alignment between the captured image frames k_(1−N). In any event, illumination parameters, such as intensity, contrast, frequency, and phase, may be estimated at block 230 for each of the captured image frames k_(1−N). Various embodiments of how the illumination parameters may be estimated are described in detail below with reference to FIG. 3.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, process 200 may then continue to block 240 where the PSF for the desired still image may then be calculated. In certain embodiments, the estimated illumination parameters from block 230, together with the motion-related data from block 220 acquired at the point in time corresponding to when the desired still image was captured, may be used to calculate the PSF of the desired still image. In particular, if an image point with brightness B spends time dt at pixel (x,y) while the light intensity is I, it contributes B*I*dt to the pixel value. Let is denote by v_(x)[i] and v_(y)[i] the x- and y-components of the velocity of an image point, where such components are captured at block 220. The PSF may then be calculated as follows:

Initialization: H[n,m] = 0 for all n,m; x = 0; y = 0; for (i=1; i<=N; i++) {    x = x + ν_(x)[i] · dt;    y = y + ν_(y)[i] · dt;    m = round(x);    n = round(y);    H[n,m] = H[n,m] + I[i] · dt; },    where I[i] is the light intensity at time interval i.

Once the PSF has been calculated at block 240, process 200 may then continue to block 250 where the actual image de-blurring process may be performed (e.g., by image processing circuitry 120) to produce a processed output image to either an electronic memory (e.g., memory 130) and/or to a display (e.g., display 150). By way of providing a non-limiting example, such image de-blurring may be performed using a type of de-convolution algorithm, such as Wiener filtering. With Wiener filtering, an inverse filter is calculated from the PSF and then applied to the blurred image to produce a de-blurred image. In this fashion, certain embodiments of the invention provide the possibility to perform image de-blurring under flickering lighting conditions.

Referring now to FIG. 3, depicted is a process 300 for performing the illumination parameter estimation of block 230 of FIG. 2. Process 300 begins at block 310 where the captured image frames k_(1−N) are aligned, such as to a reference frame. In certain embodiments, this operation may be performed using motion-related data corresponding to the period of time when the image frames k_(1−N) were captured, as described above in block 220 of FIG. 2. In any event, regardless of how the captured image frames k_(1−N) are aligned, process 300 may then continue to block 320 where the relative average light intensities for the captured image frames k_(1−N) may be calculated.

With respect to calculating the relative average light intensities at block 320, a sinusoidal model of the light intensity with twice the frequency of the power outlet may be assumed. As such, the intensity of a fluorescent light at time equals t may be calculated as follows:

I(t)=I _(o)[1+α cos(2ωt+φ)],   (1)

where,

-   -   I_(o)=average intensity;     -   ω=frequency of power outlet;     -   φ=phase; and     -   α=contrast.

The unknowns in Equation (1) are the phase φ, contrast α, and sometimes the frequency ω. Since the intensity at every moment is proportional to I_(o), I_(o) cancels out and is therefore not significant for the calculations described herein.

After appropriate alignment between the images, the relative average illumination intensities B_(k) during the exposure of each image can be estimated based on a comparison between the images. By way of providing a non-limiting example, one way to calculate the average light intensities B_(k) is to take all pixels that belong to the intersection of all captured image frames k_(1−N) and calculate the average pixel value of each image in that intersection. The values of B_(k) would be then proportional to the average pixel values.

Another example of how one might calculate the relative average illumination intensities B_(k) is to assume that the amount of light incident at a point with coordinates [i,j] in some common reference frame during the exposure of a captured image frame #k is B_(k)·L[i,j], and the reflectance of point [i,j] is R₀[i,j]. Then the value of the pixel in image frame #k corresponding to the point with coordinates [i,j] in the common frame of reference may be given by I_(k)[i,j]=B_(k)·L[i,j]·R₀[i,j]. Additionally, one may define R[i,j]=L[i,j]·R₀[i,j] and call R[i,j] the effective reflectance of point [i,j].

Given the above defined relationships, the following can be denoted:

${f_{k}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack} = \left\{ {{\begin{matrix} 1 & {{{if}\mspace{14mu} {{point}\mspace{14mu}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}\mspace{14mu} {belongs}\mspace{14mu} {to}\mspace{14mu} {frame}\mspace{14mu} \# \mspace{14mu} k\mspace{14mu} {and}},{{in}\mspace{14mu} {addition}},} \\ \; & {{{the}\mspace{14mu} {corresponding}\mspace{14mu} {pixel}\mspace{14mu} {is}\mspace{14mu} {neither}\mspace{14mu} {overexposed}\mspace{14mu} {nor}\mspace{14mu} {underexposed}},} \\ 0 & {else} \end{matrix}{and}{{\overset{\sim}{f}}_{k}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}} = {\sum\limits_{n \neq k}{{f_{n}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}.}}} \right.$

Furthermore, for each image let us define the set A_(k) of points [i,j] which (1) belong to a particular frame image #k, and (2) belong to at least one frame other than image frame #k:

A _(k) ={[i,j]|f _(k) [i,j]=1 and {tilde over (f)} _(k) [i,j]≧1}.

Next, one may calculate the estimate of effective reflectance at point [i,j] in A_(k) either using a particular image frame #k:

${{r_{k}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack} = {\frac{1}{B_{k}}{I_{k}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}}},{or}$

using all other image frames other than #k:

${{\overset{\sim}{r}}_{k}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack} = {\sum\limits_{n \neq k}{\frac{1}{B_{n}}{\frac{I_{n}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}{{\overset{\sim}{f}}_{k}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}.}}}$

Note that in the latter calculation of reflectances equal weights have been assigned to all images for which f_(n)[i,j]=1.

Additionally, a vector u and matrix M may be defined such that:

${u_{n} = \frac{1}{B_{n}}},{and}$ $M_{{kij},n} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} {{I_{k}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}1_{\{{{\lbrack{i,j}\rbrack} \in A_{k}}\}}} & {{{if}\mspace{14mu} n} = k} \\ {{- \frac{I_{n}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}{{\overset{\sim}{f}}_{k}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}}1_{\{{{\lbrack{i,j}\rbrack} \in A_{k}}\}}} & {{{if}\mspace{14mu} n} \neq {k.}} \end{matrix} \right.$

There is a vector u* that minimizes the following cost function:

$\begin{matrix} {{CF} = {\sum\limits_{k}{\sum\limits_{{\lbrack{i,j}\rbrack} \in A_{k}}\left( {{r_{k}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack} - {{\overset{\sim}{r}}_{k}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}} \right)^{2}}}} \\ {= {\sum\limits_{k,i,j}\left( {\sum\limits_{n}{M_{{kij},n} \cdot u_{n}}} \right)^{2}}} \\ {= {({Mu})^{T}{({Mu}).}}} \end{matrix}$

Specifically, the solution u* is the eigenvector of M^(T)M corresponding to the minimum eigenvalue. Alternatively, to achieve robustness to outliers or mixed illumination, more robust regression techniques may be applied (e.g., weighted least squares, RANSAC, etc). Once the vector u* has been found, the relative average light intensities during the exposure of each image frame #k may be calculated as follows:

$B_{n} = {\frac{1}{u_{n}}.}$

Regardless of the technique used, once the relative average illumination intensities B_(k) for the image frames k_(1−N) is known, process 300 may continue to block 330 where phase, contrast and potentially other illumination parameters may be determined.

Assuming that the light source intensity may be given by Equation (1) above, and further assuming that the exposure of image frames k_(1−N) starts at ts_(k) and ends at te_(k), such that Δt=te_(k)−ts_(k), it follows that the intensity of a particular image frame (k) is proportional to:

J_(k) = I_(o)∫_(ts_(k))^(te_(k))[1 + a cos (2ω t + ϕ)]t,

also expressed as

$= {I_{o}{\left\{ {{\Delta \; t} + {\frac{a}{2\omega}\left\lbrack {{\sin \left( {{2\omega \; {te}_{k}} + \phi} \right)} - {\sin \left( {{2\omega \; {ts}_{k}} + \phi} \right)}} \right\rbrack}} \right\}.}}$

Thus, it follows that B_(k)=αJ_(k), for some α, and a system of N equations is available of the form:

$\begin{matrix} {{B_{k} = {\left( {\alpha \; I_{o}} \right) \cdot \left\{ {{\Delta \; t} + {\frac{a}{2\omega}\left\lbrack {{\sin \left( {{2\; \omega \; {te}_{k}} + \phi} \right)} - {\sin \left( {{2\omega \; {ts}_{k}} + \phi} \right)}} \right\rbrack}} \right\}}},} & (2) \end{matrix}$

where each of αI_(o), φ, α, and ω are unknown (although frequency ω may be known).

With respect to solving for the value αI_(o), it is noted that the number of frames N should be large enough such that:

$\frac{a}{2\omega}{\sum\limits_{k = 1}^{N}{\left\lbrack {{\sin \left( {{2\omega \; {te}_{k}} + \phi} \right)} - {\sin \left( {{2\omega \; {ts}_{k}} + \phi} \right)}} \right\rbrack {{\operatorname{<<}N} \cdot \Delta}\; {t.}}}$

Then the average value of {J_(k)}, k=1, . . . ,N, is J_(k) =I₀Δt. And therefore,

$\begin{matrix} {{\alpha \; I_{0}} = {\frac{\overset{\_}{B_{k}}}{\Delta \; t}.}} & (3) \end{matrix}$

Given that there will be a sufficient number of equations that are not interdependent, the system of N equations may be readily solved at block 330 for the illumination parameters of phase (φ), contrast (α) and even frequency (ω) if not known.

While one aspect of the disclosure is to utilize the estimated illumination parameters to calculate the appropriate PSF of a desired image for de-blurring purposes, another aspect of the invention is to use the aforementioned estimated illumination parameters to synchronize the exposure timing of a still image to the time when there is the most light. In particular, if the exposure duration of a still image is short compared to the illumination oscillation period, and the contrast (α) of the oscillation in Equation (1) is significant, the amount of light and hence the signal-to-noise ratio for the still image will depend on the exact timing of the exposure. Thus, once the illumination phase (φ) has been estimated, the exposure can be specifically chosen to occur when the lighting intensity is at or near its maximum.

Still another aspect of the invention is to use the aforementioned estimated illumination parameters for motion estimation in view/video modes. Specifically, when motion estimation is performed in view/video modes (for example, for the purpose of video stabilization) and the illumination is time-varying, motion estimation techniques that are insensitive to illumination changes (such as normalized cross-correlation based techniques) should be used. However, such techniques tend to be more computationally and power intensive than simpler ones that can assume the illumination remains constant between frames. Therefore, by normalizing the intensity of a specific frame by its estimated illumination, it is possible to use the simpler techniques for motion estimation.

Since the illumination parameters change at a rate that is much slower than the frame rate, it is possible to perform the illumination parameter estimation process described herein on a periodic basis (e.g., only once every x number of frames). Use of the estimated parameters would materially simplify the motion estimation process, and thereby reduce the computational overhead.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. Trademarks and copyrights referred to herein are the property of their respective owners. 

1. A method for performing image processing under flickering light conditions comprising the acts of: receiving first image data corresponding to a plurality of captured image frames captured at a first time period under flickering light conditions; receiving second image data corresponding to a desired still image captured at a second time period under flickering light conditions; and estimating at least one illumination parameter based on the first image data, wherein said estimating includes calculating relative average light intensities for each of the plurality of captured image frames.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the flickering lighting conditions comprises fluorescent lighting.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time period occurs over a period of time that is adjacent to the second time period.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time period occurs after the second time period.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said first time period occurs during an image preview mode.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving motion-related data corresponding to the first time period; and aligning the plurality of captured image frames using the motion-related data.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: calculating a point spread function of the desired still image based in part on said at least one estimated illumination parameter; and de-blurring the desired still image based on the point spread function.
 8. The method of claim 7, further wherein calculating the point spread function further comprises calculating the point spread function based on the at least one estimated illumination parameter, and further based on motion-related data corresponding to the second time period.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein estimating the at least one illumination parameter further comprises estimating at least one of a contrast and a phase of a light source that is generating the flickering lighting conditions.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein estimating the at least one illumination parameter comprises estimating the at least one illumination parameter by applying a sinusoidal model to the calculated relative average light intensities for each of said plurality of captured image frames.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprises generating a system of independent equations, based on said sinusoidal model, that correspond to the plurality of captured image frames.
 12. A camera comprising: an image capturing system; and an image processing circuit coupled to the image capturing system, wherein the image processing circuit is to: receive first image data corresponding to a plurality of captured image frames captured by the image capturing system at a first time period under flickering light conditions, receive second image data corresponding to a desired still image captured by the image capturing system at a second time period under flickering light conditions, and estimate at least one illumination parameter, which is based on the first image data, by calculating relative average light intensities for each of said plurality of captured image frames.
 13. The camera of claim 12, wherein the flickering lighting conditions comprises fluorescent lighting.
 14. The camera of claim 12, wherein the first time period occurs over a period of time that is adjacent to the second time period.
 15. The camera of claim 12, wherein the first time period occurs after the second time period.
 16. The camera of claim 12, wherein the first time period occurs during an image preview mode.
 17. The camera of claim 12, wherein the camera further comprises a motion sensing circuitry electrically coupled to the image processing circuit, and wherein the image processing circuit is further to: receive motion-related data corresponding to the first time period, and align the plurality of captured image frames using the motion-related data.
 18. The camera of claim 12, wherein the image processing circuit is further to: calculate a point spread function of the desired still image based in part on said at least one estimated illumination parameter, and de-blur said desired still image based on said point spread function.
 19. The camera of claim 18, wherein the image processing circuit is to calculate the point spread function based on the at least one estimated illumination parameter, and further based on motion-related data corresponding to the second time period.
 20. The camera of claim 12, wherein the at least one illumination parameter comprises at least one of a contrast and a phase of a light source that is generating the flickering lighting conditions.
 21. The camera of claim 12, wherein the image processing circuit is to estimate the at least one illumination parameter by applying a sinusoidal model to the calculated relative average light intensities for each of said plurality of captured image frames.
 22. The camera of claim 21, wherein the image processing circuit is further to generate a system of independent equations, based on said sinusoidal model, that correspond to the plurality of captured image frames.
 23. A method for performing image processing under flickering light conditions comprising the acts of: receiving first image data corresponding to a plurality of captured image frames captured at a first time period under flickering light conditions; receiving second image data corresponding to a desired still image captured at a second time period under flickering light conditions; estimating at least one illumination parameter based on the first image data, wherein said estimating includes calculating relative average light intensities for each of the plurality of captured image frames; calculating a point spread function of the desired still image based in part on said at least one estimated illumination parameter; and de-blurring the desired still image based on the point spread function. 